Its The Pity Party Committee!!!!

Just look at that beautiful baby girl.  I feel you darlin.  I have been an empty nester for a couple years now.  Oh I do have my 6lb fur baby still at home.  But that isonly cause I wont let him out the door without me and on a leash.   It is tough at first.  But as you watch her succeed your pride will overwhelm your sadness.  Chin up.     You are one buff momma.    xoxoxoxo

It will get better ~ one day at a time.  Then you'll get used to the fact that stuff is exactly where you left it, you know who made the mess and when they come home you cherish the visit and breathe a sigh of relief when they go!  Huggs to you

I know its hard letting go.  I have a 21 soon to be 22 year old son.  Very independent.  Great Kid.  He lives in AZ.  He is doing great.  He is going to college, working for a great company.  But I miss him so much.  They just grow up so fast.  But on the other hand.  count your blessings.  I also have a 14 soon to be 15 year old daughter.  She is bipolar and consumes most of my energy.  I love her so much, but there are days that I just sit and cry and ask God "why me" but then I always snap back to reality and answer my own question.  I firmly believe that God doesn't give us more than we can handle.  and Believe me. there are some days that I wonder, but I have faith that I will learn someday why I have been given hand that I have been dealt.  Your daughter will come around.   There is nothing quite like the mother/daughter relationship.  No matter how challenging it can be.  Hang in there Linda

Thanks Linda, I appreciate your words and wisdom.  Hugs!

OMG Catt when the reality hits that this is for real and our kids grow up and do not need us like they did when they are young is very traumatic. At least it was for me.

When my youngest son got his drivers licencse and I watched the two of them drive off down the street, I felt like it was into the sunset of no return. The I got to the point where I asked Jeff if he thought they would ever move out....he replied....nope....we would have to and that is exactly what we did!

We moved about 500 miles away down here to the desert and never looked back. Now mind you as tough as I sound about it....back then I did a lot of crying because I missed them so. I also realized along the way, I did them the hugest favor by letting go of them because in the 2 years they were up in the bay area before them moved here they did a lot of growing up (emotionally) and it paved the way for the relationship that we have today.

I have always been very close to my boys, but there was a period (teen years) where I felt very insignificant,but I hung in there. I sometimes feel like now that we do way too much together...okay is there really way too much??? Nay! I cherish every minute I have with them and pride myself on not being the parent that mine were. I enjoy them, we talk nearly everyday....okay we talk all the time, I see them all the time....they are my world...and yes I have a very good life, but you have to trust Catt if you have built the foundation with a strong relationship with your daughter.....she will never stray far from her moma. Let her spread her wings....and looking at the adorable face of hers....I understand how hard it is....but I am telling you Catt....she loves you and knows in her heart that you are going to be there for her no matter what...you know like that comfortable pair of shoes that gets tucked away in the closet sometimes because you are so digging the new heels even though they kill your feet.

Hang in there girl and no it is not a pity party....just life that sneaks up on you and bites you in the ass sometimes!

  

OMG, Janine,that was so well said.  I am trying to do those things myself right now.  Again Bravo you hit the nail on the head for us who have these kids that are in that phase of their lives.  Thanks Liz

Thanks for the  Janine. I should really print out your advice into a "greeting card."  Hallmark probably beat us to it though.  I really appreciate your words of encouragement

((((((((((((Catt))))))))))))) Just wanted to give you a hug!!!!!! My daughter is graduating from jr. high this morning and I have one in high school already and I'm already trying to prepare myself for them moving more towards independence. It makes me want to cry! As for your daughter, trust me that you will be best friends again. My mom and I went through rough times too when I was that age, but we are extremely close now!

Thanks Cyndi!  I realized last night that I did not like my mom at my daughters age either. And, we did grow much closer later on in my life.  I just assumed I was the "cool mom" and it wouldn't happen to me. Hugs 2 ya!